Winston-Salem Police Sgt. Mickey Hutchens
I was working on a blog post to ask people to pray for Sgt. Hutchens recovery, but by the time I was ready to post, Sgt. Hutchens had snuck away with angels. Please pray for his family, friends and co-workers. He stood in the gap for a stranger with a domestic violence situation, and like so many others have, died doing so. What kind of person seeks this job... this
I-will-take-the-chance-for-strangers-everyday
kind of work?Thank you isn't enough.
Sgtl Hutchens, I know they will say farewell to you with greatest high-style, the greatest pomp, the greatest love that Winston-Salem and the surrounding area can bring together.
And a another heroes hug - to Officer Daniel Clark - also wounded during this... You took down the bad guy. Yes you did!
My prayers are with all of you.
SGT. MICKEY HUTCHENS SUCCUMBS TO INJURIES
5 Days After Gunfight, Injured Officer Dies
wxii12.com
October 12, 2009
[Excerpts] The Winston-Salem Police Department announced Monday evening that Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, a 27-year veteran of the Winston-Salem police force, died Monday. He was 50... City officials had said Hutchens' had taken at turn for the worse over the weekend. He died at 6:56 p.m., surrounded by his family. "Mickey was an exceptional person," Winston-Salem Police Chief Scott Cunningham said. "He dedicated his life to the service of others. His sacrifice was not in vein"... Cunningham said Friday Hutchens had suffered “extremely serious injuries.” Officer Daniel Clark, 28, was also injured, suffering a gunshot wound to his neck and abdomen. Clark’s bulletproof vest deflected the shot to his midsection. He was released from Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Friday afternoon. The incident started as a domestic dispute between [Monte Denard] Evans and his ex-wife... "This is just such a tragedy, and prayer is what keeps them going," said Hutchens family friend Lark Williams. "I know it's what keeps me going... Beth has been very strong... She knew all her life this was a possibility, but he loved his job and loved serving his community." There was no immediate word on funeral arrangements... The president of a local chapter of the Police Benevolent Association said the organization is doing what it can to help the families of Hutchens and Clark... Four hundred of the 514 sworn officers in the Winston-Salem Police Department are members of the organization, which raises money to assist families of officers who are wounded while serving in the line of duty. "One hundred percent of funds go directly to the families," [Sgt. Lou Ellen] Taylor said. "The account is turned over to the family. The bank places the money right into the family’s hands"... Local Wachovia Bank branches are accepting donations that will go to assist the officers' families. [Full article here]
What I had intended to post:
INJURED OFFICER'S CONDITION REMAINS CRITICAL
The Associated Press
Published: October 12, 2009
[Excerpts] Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, the first of two Winston-Salem police officers struck by gunfire while responding to a domestic call, remains in critical condition at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center Monday. Hutchens' condition has not changed since Saturday when he appeared to take a turn for the worse, said Ed McNeal, a city spokesman. Hutchens has been hospitalized since Wednesday when he and officer Daniel Clark were shot in a ravine by the Bojangles' on Peters Creek Parkway while pursuing Monte Evans. Evans had gone to Bojangles' to confront his ex-wife, a manager at the restaurant. Evans was killed after being shot in the head, chest and abdomen. Clark was also hospitalized after being struck with a bullet by his right ear... Hutchens, a patrol supervisor, is a 27-year veteran of the Winston-Salem Police Dept. During a Friday news conference, Police Chief Scott Cunningham described Hutchens' injuries as "critical and grave." But he said there were hopeful signs too. Cunningham said he had seen Hutchens open his eyes and move his right foot. McNeal told reporters Saturday that Hutchens' condition had worsened. [Full article here]
Video:
AS COMMUNITY RALLIES, INJURED OFFICER FIGHTS TO STAY ALIVE
WGHP-TV
By Brent Campbell FOX8 News
October 12, 2009
[Excerpts] Despite suffering a setback over the weekend, Sgt. Mickey Hutchens continues to fight for his life at the hospital, where he remains in "critical and grave" condition after being shot last week. Hutchens was shot in the head while responding to a domestic call at a restaurant on Peters Creek Parkway on Wednesday evening. Winston-Salem Police Department Chaplain Rev. Ronnie Baity, who knows Hutchens well, said people at the officer's church and across the Piedmont have been thinking about and praying for Hutchens. "He's a tremendous officer. He did his job professionally, with care, compassion. He was friendly. He was honest. He represented the Winston-Salem Police Department royally... I've watched our chief get on his knees and take them by the hand and speak words of encouragement, help and consolation to the family. I've watched all of the command staff show up with handshakes and hugs... It's a department that's a family, that hang together, stick together. They are there for each other for moral support, and it's meant so much for families through the years," he said. At Forbush High School, Hutchens' alma mater, the home economics class is baking cookies, the Future Farmers of America club is helping get the gym ready for a blood drive in Hutchens' honor, and students are wearing shirts with Hutchens' picture ... all to say thank you to one of their own... On Friday evening, the school observed a moment of silence before its football game... Officer Daniel Clark, who shot twice before killing suspect Monte Evans during a foot chase Wednesday, was released from the hospital Friday and is now at home. The blood drive runs from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Forbush, and appointments are recommended. [Full article here]
[police officer domestic violence law enforcement heroes hero murder* killed shot line of duty death lodd]
MAYOR DECLARES MOURNING PERIOD FOR SGT. HUTCHENS
ReplyDeleteCity of Winston-Salem
Office of the Mayor Oct. 12, 2009
Mayor Allen Joines has declared Oct. 13 through Oct. 16 a period of civic mourning to honor the life and service of Police Sgt. Mickey Hutchens, who passed away at Wake Forest Baptist University Medical Center on Monday evening. “I urge every citizen of Winston-Salem to use this period of mourning to reflect on the sacrifice made by Sgt. Hutchens to serve and protect our community, as well as to honor his family in their time of loss,” Joines said. Joines has ordered city flags to be flown at half staff during this time. In addition, he has submitted a request to the Office of the President of the United States seeking authorization to have U.S. flags flown at half staff during the period of mourning... [Full article here]
POLICE DEPARTMENT STATEMENT ON SGT. MICKEY HUTCHINS
City of Winston-Salem
Police Department Oct. 12, 2009
Police Chief Scott Cunningham made the following statement to the news media Monday evening, Oct. 12:
“Last Wednesday, Sergeant Mickey Hutchens was critically wounded while responding to a call to back-up his fellow officers. He has been fighting for his life for five days. Today, at 6:56 p.m. Sgt. Hutchens died in the presence of his loving family and police friends.
“Mickey was an exceptional person. For more than 27 years he dedicated his life to the service of others. Mickey sacrificed his life protecting the citizens of Winston-Salem. His sacrifice was not in vain. He believed in what he was doing. He spent his life helping others.
“This was true in his death as it was in his life. Mickey was an organ donor, and as we speak, a team of surgeons has removed his vital organs so that others may live. Were he here now, Mickey would encourage every person in this room, and in our city, to be an organ donor, too.
“Mayor Allen Joines has declared Oct. 13 through Oct. 16 a period of civic mourning and has ordered city flags to be flown at half staff. In addition, the mayor has sent a request to the Office of the President seeking authorization to have U.S. flags flown at half staff during this period of mourning.
“Mickey’s family and the Winston-Salem Police Department are extremely grateful for all of the thoughts, prayers and support everyone has provided. In particular, Mickey’s family wants to thank Baptist Hospital and the doctors, nurses and hospital staff, not only for their tireless efforts to save Mickey’s life, but for the compassion they have shown during this sorrowful time. Please continue to pray for strength for Mickey’s family as they struggle through this terrible tragedy.
“Funeral arrangements will be announced when they are completed.” [LINK]
Wow! You'd think the President was assasinated with all this TV exposure.
ReplyDeleteHe got the TV exposure that he deserved. He was a good man, father, son and brother.
ReplyDelete